Ole Miss Basketball: Grove Grinder, Brackets Wrecked And Looking Ahead

Although Ole Miss basketball has been a hotbed of activity in recent weeks we still weren’t playing in the postseason like many other SEC teams.

Even though Ole Miss basketball wasn’t in the post season there has been plenty of basketball action. Of course, Ole Miss recently added Kermit Davis as new head coach and there is a newfound optimism surrounding the basketball program. Naturally, with National Signing Day just right around the corner we knew Davis would be busy. However, Davis is also tasked with keeping the remaining Rebels roster together and putting together his staff.

Of course, there was plenty of ‘March Madness’ among college basketball fans across the country and especially the Southeast. The SEC had a number of teams whose fans were dialed in to watch their teams tourney runs. There were indeed some surprises and some shockers. For those of us who have or had brackets, there are few of us who had a bracket we didn’t want to burn within the first 2 rounds.

So tonight we have the NCAA Championship between No.1 seed Villanova and No.3 seed Michigan. I actually had both Villanova and Kansas in my final four. However, the other side of my bracket was already messed up when my pick Kansas tanked against Nova. Well, you win some and you lose some and live to play another day. Bracket or no bracket tonight’s game should be very good. I’m taking Nova over the Wolverines.

Looking Ahead At Rebels Hoops

Ole Miss Rebels Basketball

With the recent success of State College on the hard-court and the Rebels both finishing last in the SEC in both men’s and women’s hoops there is a strong sense of urgency surrounding Ole Miss basketball. Of course, it’s difficult to gauge any success next season this early in his tenure. However, I really believe we will be much better.

The end of the 2017-18 season cut the roster to just 10 players. One of those, Terence Davis, elected to forgo his senior season and check the climate of the NBA Draft. This leaves just 9 players who remain on the squad for now. As I wish Terence Davis the best moving forward I would really have enjoyed watching him in the Kermit Davis offense. Breein Tyree, Bruce Stevens, Dominik Olejniczak and Devontae Shuler are the most experienced returning players on the roster.

About Recruiting

On the recruiting front there hasn’t been much good news for Ole Miss basketball just yet. With the opening of the final signing period just over a week away there are fans getting just a little nervous. Time is running out to try to close the deal on some top rated talent.

Will Kermit Davis be able to pull together a decent class in the final days? We can’t be sure of course. However, we do know he has recruited well in the southeast in the past and should be okay. There is some speculation he may have a heavy load of juco transfers next season. For now the 2018 recruiting class sits at 2 players with Brian Halums and Anthony Higgs who both signed LOI in the early signing period.

The Best Is Yet To Come

So far Kermit Davis has added two assistants to his staff. Of course, Win Case and Ronnie Hamilton were both on his staff at MTSU and instrumental in the success MTSU had on the court. They are also great recruiters who will now have the finest facilities in the SEC at their disposal. Both the Touhy Basketball Center and The Pavilion will be easy sells for this Ole Miss basketball staff moving forward. With the Ole Miss campus and the City of Oxford thrown in, there will be recruits who want to play for the Rebels.

Next: Top-10 Rebels In Past 12 Seasons!

Of course, right now we are optimistic because we know we are headed the right direction as a program. When you look at where we were just a few weeks ago, it makes things seem a lot better. One thing we can be sure of is the best is still yet to come. Good luck to coach Kermit Davis as he and his staff close out recruiting. Please be sure to follow OHT on twitter and Facebook for the latest updates. Hotty Toddy!